The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy, MIFTAH strongly condemns the recent violent escalation of Israel’s military intervention in Gaza which has claimed the lives of at least 12 Palestinians. Israeli airplanes began bombing various areas of Gaza yesterday, killing the head of the Popular Resistance Committees Zuheir Al Qaysee and another top PRC official Mahmoud Hinani. Ten others have been killed in Israeli bombing and shelling in the 12 hours that followed.

MIFTAH finds this most recent Israeli crime against Palestinians as abhorrent, especially given that it carried out this and similar crimes against Palestinians with impunity. The timing of Israel’s military operation also shows it is aimed at sabotaging Palestinian efforts at reconciliation and reaching a peaceful political settlement by thrusting the region into a fresh cycle of violence.

MIFTAH calls on the international community, namely the United States, Europe and the United Nations to finally hold Israel accountable for the repeated extrajudicial killing of Palestinians in the occupied territories including innocent civilians not involved in the conflict. Israel should not be allowed a free hand in oppressing the Palestinians without being held accountable by the world community. It is time Israel is held to the same standards as other countries of the world, especially since it claims to be a democratic and free country.

MIFTAH would also like to convey its condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in the most recent Israeli attack and hopes peace and justice prevails for the Palestinians and the entire region.